Eliminating the need for a VISA between both countries would be great and avoid lots of unnecessary paperwork and waiting in line at the local consulate around the world. However, Brazilian lawmakers aren't willing to easy up this process. Here's what was reported on Estado de Sao Paulo news. (Translation possible by Google)

08/03/2013 07:30 | By Alana Rizzo - O Estado de S. Paulo, estadao.com.br
End of visa to the U.S. coming up in Brazil's refusal to comply with demands
There is strength in sending data security, this week, Country defines whether or not to enter the Global Entry, which would benefit 5000 people

BRASILIA - Despite the political will of President Barack Obama, the inclusion of Brazil in the visa waiver program in the United States still faces in Brazilian authorities refused to meet almost all the requirements of the U.S. government. This week the government should hammer out whether it accepts into the program pre-approval, which would benefit initially about 5 thousand people.

Report on the first working meeting held at the end of last year between officials from both countries reveals that, of the seven charges for Brazilian citizens traveling to the United States without a visa, but there is agreement on reciprocity and periodic reviews procedures.

The document, which the State had access, emphasizes that "both sides recognize the complexity of the issues and difficulties involved." One of the points of greatest strength is in sharing intelligence data and public safety. Brazil still has no position on the mandatory exchange of information loss and theft and passport data on "passengers who may constitute criminal or terrorist threat" and repatriations timely (immediate) - In addition, the program is biometric passport in the initial phase.

Given the difficulties in advancing the waiver program, the Foreign Ministry ordered the Federal Police and the Ministry of Justice to assess the necessity of signing the Global Entry, a program of pre-approval that allows passengers who have already joined only one pass by automated kiosk, instead of standing in line migration. A pilot project along the same lines was adopted in Brasilia Airport to Portuguese citizens.

Last week, several meetings were held to discuss the issue this week and the government should hammer out whether it accepts into the program. About 5 thousand people would be benefited by the Global Entry at first. Revenue Service and the Federal Police, however, differ on the terms of the U.S. government, which would require access to data from Brazilian businessmen. The visa waiver program with Brazil is considered one of the weapons to try to save the American economy from the crisis.

Law

Brazilian authorities maintain that there is no legal support for the delivery of all these data, especially information about ongoing investigations, indictments and complaints. Brazil submits that could only pass with condemnation cases and res judicata.

The Brazilian government also assesses the signing of other agreements on exchange of information, including Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-6) establishing criteria for the classification of terrorism, crime has not typified by Brazilian law.

A telegram notes that, despite the good relations between the two presidents, conditions are established by Congress. "After the 2001 attacks, the program became an instrument of internal security."

Refusals

Another obstacle to the implementation of the program is the current rate of denied visas. According to the report, Brazil has 3.8%. One condition is to have less than 3% refusal of visas for tourism or business.

However, the report also highlights that there are bills pending in the U.S. Congress that alter this ratio to 10%. According to the U.S. government, 36 countries currently participate in the program. In 2010, more than 17.3 million entered the United States without a visa.

Wanted, the Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Justice did not comment on the matter.

Yes. It´s between Mexicans and Brazilians visiting the respective country. I hope it´s not just to facilitate entry into Brazil for the WC and the Olympics. I sincerely wish it is for the long term. Business and tourist traffic has seen impressive growth in the past few years.

Quoting AR385 (Reply 5):Yes. It´s between Mexicans and Brazilians visiting the respective country. I hope it´s not just to facilitate entry into Brazil for the WC and the Olympics. I sincerely wish it is for the long term.

I think it's long term. I seem to remember that the visa requirement for Brazil was imposed around 2005 along with visa requirmentes for Ecuador and South Africa as well.

If we are to believe the newspapers, the US asked Mexico to require visas to citizens of those specific countries because they were seeing a surge of illegal crossings of citizens of said countries through Mexico. Mexico, as usual, obliged, even if it meant stiffling ties with Brazil.

All this leads me to think that if Brazil is even considered for the VWP, it's not thought of as a big source of illegal immigrants to the US anymore, so I'd venture to say that now, we are able to take the sovereign decision of dropping the requirement.